The Government is committed to ensuring that all staff of Ministers' Offices are treated fairly and equitably, and that they work in an environment free of all forms of harassment. The NSW Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 was recently amended. These amendments have a direct impact on Ministers and the staff of Ministerial offices.

It is now unlawful for a member of either House of Parliament to sexually harass:

• a workplace participant at a place that is a workplace of both the member and the workplace participant, or
• another member of Parliament at a place that is a workplace of both members.

It is also illegal for a workplace participant to sexually harass a member of either House of Parliament at a place that is a workplace of both the member and the workplace participant.

A workplace of a member of either House of Parliament identified in the Act as, but not limited to, the whole of Parliament House. any ministerial office or electoral office of the member or any other place that the member attends in conjunction with his or her Ministerial, parliamentary or electoral duties.

A workplace participant is an employee or employer; a commission agent or contract worker; a partner in a partnership,- a person who is self-employed; or a volunteer or unpaid trainee.

This issue will be addressed in future editions of the Ministerial Handbook and in the Harassment Management Policy for Staff of Ministers' Offices currently being prepared by Ministerial and Parliamentary Services.

Any enquiries should be directed to Peter Rawsthorne on 9228 5530.

Yours sincerely

Col Gellatly
Director-General